Grading and ditching machine.



PATENTED; AUG. 25', 1903-,

' T. J. GRAY.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3,1901.

no 'MODEL.

I EEEE5 PATENTED AUG; 25, 1903.

T. GRAY. GRADING AND DITGH-ING MACHINE.

APPL'IOATION FILED AUG. 3. 1901.

13 BHBETS-SHBET 2.

WQRWX wm w u no. 737,224. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.4 T. J. GRAY.

GRADING AND DITGHING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1901 N0 MODEL. 13 SHEETS-SH EET 3.

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- T. J. GRAY. I

GRADING AND DITGHIN'G MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1901. aw 14011111.. 13 SHEBTSSHEET i.

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v Q a EH l | lllll Hill" No. 737,224. I PATENT-ED AUG. 25, 1903.

I T. J. GRAY.- GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 3. 1901.

N0 MODEL. 13 SHEETS-$113181 6.

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' No.73'7,224. I PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

T. J. GRAY.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3., 1901.

N0 MODEL. 13 SHEETS-SHEBT 7.

"N9, 737,224. I PATENTED,AUG.25, 1903. 1 ."T.J.GRAY.'

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINEr APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3. 1901. r no MODEL. 13 i'HEETS$HEET ai No. 737,224. PATENTEDIAUG. 25, 1903.

' T. J. GRAY.-

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD AUG. 3. 1901. H0 MODEL. 13 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

PATENTED AUG.'25,}19'O'3.

T. J. GRAY GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

'APPLIGATIOH FILED AUG. 3. 1901.

13 'SHEETSSHEET 10.

1 no MODEL.

r .504 cami w is ykama I PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

'-T.'J.GRAY. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nub AUG. 3. 1901.

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PATEiITED AUG. 25,1903,

I T. J. GRAY. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APYLIOATION TILED AUG. 3. 1901.

1a SHEETS-SHEET 13.

H0 MODEL.

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PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. GRAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK O.

' AUSTIN, OF'CHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

. GRADING ANlI) DIITCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,224, dated August 25, 1903.

Application filed August 3, 1901. Serial No. 70.761- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GRAY, a resident of Chicago, county of. Cook, and, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ditching and Grading Machines, of whichthefollowing ,isa speci-v fication.

Objects of my inventionare to provide certain improvements in grading and ditching machines of thetype-illustrated in Letters Patent ofthe United States No. 636,506,granted November v7, 1899, to .William J. Edwards and Thomas J. Gray; and particularly to pro: vide various features of improvement in a machine of such type involving furrow-opening devices arranged back to back adjacent to the lower end of the elevating device and means for adjusting the position of the furrow-opening devices when the machine is moved in one direction or the other to bring the active f urrow-opening device opposite the elevating device, my improvements in a machine of such character being hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims. Y r

To the foregoing and other useful ends the body-frameis preferably composed eta pair of parallel side beams or side bars connected at each end by means of transversely-disposed bolster-bars. A pivoted axle and a pair of vehicle-wheels are provided at each end of the machine, and the said transversely-disposed bolster-bars are adapted and arranged to rest upon the two fifth-wheel devices. The plow side of the body-frame is preferably and desirably stiffened and strengthened I by means of acouple of upwardly-projecting arches or truss devices and also by means of a centrally-arranged and downwardly-extending truss. The farther or conveyer side of the body-frame is preferably strengthened by means of a centrally-located arch or truss device and also by means of acouple of short arches or truss :devices arranged, preferably, near the oppositeends of the body-frame. A pair of uprights are also preferably provided attheconveyersideofthebody-frame. These uprights are connected at top and bottom and preferably extend below the side bar of the frame. Uprights are provided at each end of the body-frame and adapted at their upper ends to support the two drivers seats. With a fifth-wheel at each end of the machine the conveyer is preferably driven by a motor mounted upon the frame or body of the ma- .55

chine. In this way the operation of the con-. veyer is not dependent upon the forward movement of the machine. The plow-beam is preferably provided with a pair of plows arranged to point in opposite directions. Each plow is adapted and arranged to deliver the soil to the lower end of the conveyer, and the latter then discharges the soil at the farther side of the machine. A pair of swinging beams or draft-bars are arranged to connect with the body-frame, and each beam is pref.- 7o

erably connected with the body frame through the medium of achain orlike flexible connector. With this arrangement the plowbeam is capable oflongitudinal or endwise shift, and as it is adjustablysuspended from .75

the body-frame it is also capable of bodily upand-down movement and of being tilted down at either end. When moved endwise, the plow-beam will automatically turn or swing horizontally and assume a position which is at an angle relatively to the line of progress. This automatic swinging adjustment of the plow-beam is caused by the angular arrangement of the two draft-bars. If the machine is running in one direction, the forward draftchain will allow the beams to swing back and in so doing will cause the forward end of the plow-beam to swing outward and the rear end to swing inward. This will throw the plow which is in use into an operative position with relation to the conveyerand will also throw the plow not in use into a .position whereit will not drag or in any way interfere .with the operation of the machine. Preferably the ends of the plow-beam are provided with 5 sheaves or pulleys, and the hand-wheels for raising and lowering the plow-beam are connected with these sheaves or pulleys by means of chains or likeflexible connectors. v The arrangement of the hand-wheels and chains is 109 preferably such that the raising and lowering and tilting of the plow-beam can-be effected or controlled from either end of the machine. The outer end of the conveyer is preferably supported by chains having their end portions wound upon a hand-wheelshaft mounted upon bearings in the body-frame. These chains are preferably trained oversheaves or pulleys mounted at the outer end of the conveyer-frame, and the opposite ends of the chains are preferably connected with the body-frame. As a simple and effective arrangement for locking the conveyer against upward movement a pair of vertically-disposed bars are provided at each side of the conveyer,their lower ends being pivoted to the conveyer-frame and their upper ends being provided with a series of holes. Oppositelyarranged and horizontally-working lockingbolts are mounted upon the body-frame and arranged to engage the holes in the upper portions of said vertically disposed bars. These locking-bolts are preferably connected and arranged for simultaneous adjustment. The conveyer-frame is preferably composed of upper and lower sections, and as a simple and efiective means for tightening the conveyer-belt the lower section is connected with a ratchet device by means of chains or cables. This said ratchet device is operated by a hand-lever and is adapted to wind up the chains for the purpose of causing the lower section of the conveyer to move or shift toward the plow, and thereby tighten the conveyer-belt.

The machine is preferably provided at each end with a tongue, and each tongue is provided with the usual draft appliances. With respect to the reversibility of the machine each tongue is adapted to serve alternately as a pushing and a pulling tongue. Each tongue is adapted to remain in its place, and only the draft appliances are shifted when the machine is reversed. The end of each tongue is preferably supported by a casterwheel. In this way each tongue is adapted to operate as a ridingtongue-that is to say, each tongue is adapted to carry the driver of the pushing team-and to such end a suitable seat is provided and constructed so as to be readily adjustable from one tongue to the other. In this way, as previously stated, the tongues remain in place, and with the eX- ception of the said drivers seat only the draft appliances are shifted or readjusted when the machine is reversed.

The construction and operation of my invention, together with other advantages and features of improvement, will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a reversible grading and ditching machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a trans verse section on line X X in Fig. Fig. 4 is a perspective of the vehicle frame or body. Fig. 5 is a plan of the said machine and also of the tongues and draft appliances, the cenaway for convenience of illustration.

tral portion of the machine being broken Fig.6 is a side elevation of the devices and portions of the machine shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the hooks for connecting the draft appliances with the tongue. Fig. 8 is a perspective of one of the caster wheel stems and of the hammer-strap and draft-hook applied to said stem. Fig. 9 is a perspective of thetongue-braces. Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the tongues, the tongue in this case serving as a pushing-tongue and having a drivers seat for the driver of the pushing team. Fig. 11 is a perspective of the seat-post and foot-rest, the latter being adapted to engage and straddle the tongue. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the hanger and sprockets for the drivingbelt of the conveyer. Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14: is a plan of the parts and devices shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 15 is a plan of the mechanism for operating the bolts or pins which look the conveyer against upward movement. Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively side and rear elevations of one of the foot treadles and levers for operating said locking-bolts. Fig. 18 is an enlarged plan of the central portion of the plow-beam and of the two angular-lydisposed draft-bars for connecting said beam with the farther side of the frame or body, and in this view it will be seen that the said draft-bars converge from their points of connection with the plow-beam to their points of connection with the frame or body. Fig. 19 is a horizontal section through the joint or point of connection of one of the draft-bars with the plow-beam and illustrating the spring or yielding connection which each draft-bar has with said plow-beam. Figs. 20 and 21 are detail elevations illustrating the adjustmentby which the plow can be inclined or tilted to one side. Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate, respectively, the upper and lower bars for connecting the plow-beam with the draft-bar. Figs. 24, 25, and 26 are side elevations of one of the U-shaped members employed for connecting the draft-bars with the plow-beam. Fig. 27 is an enlarged plan of one of the fifthwheel devices. Fig. 28 is a section on line X X in Fig. 27. Figs. 29 and 30 are detail views illustrating the form of connection. employed for connecting the lower member of the fifth-wheel device with the axle. Fig. 31 is a detail view showing the hook-shaped bracket which is secured to the upper member of the fifth-wheel device and through which the locking-pin is inserted. Fig. 32 is a perspective of the'lower member of the fifthwheel device. Figs. 33 and 34: are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the two plows. These two views illustrate the automatic swinging adjustment of the plowbeam, which is caused by the angular positions of the two draft-bars and which causes the plow-beam to swing horizontally and assume an angle to the line of progress, In these ITO two views the dotted line indicates the line of progress, which is of course parallel with from the furrow, the forward end of the plowbeam being farther away from the machine than its rear end, and in Fig. 34. the machine is supposed to be moving to the right, and consequently the position of the draft-bars and plow-beam is the reverse of that shown in Fig. 33. It will be understood that this horizontal and backward and forward shift on the part of the plow-beam and draft-bars.

ispossible by reason of the two draft-chains being of such length that the one not in use is always slack.

As thusillustrated my inventioncomprises a frame or body composed, as previously explained, of parallel beams or side bars A, which are preferably connected at each end by means of transversely-arranged bolsterbars a. It will be observed that the plow side of said frame'is preferably provided with a pair of short arches or upwardly-extending truss devices a a and also with a downwardly-extending truss a The farther or conveyer side of the'frame is preferably likewise strengthened or stiffened by means of a long arch or truss a and also by means of a pair of short arches or truss devices a 01. As a means of properly supporting the conveyer the said body-frame is also provided with a pair of uprights d aiwhich, it will be observed, are connectedat top and bottom and which extend somewhat below the side bar A. The body-frame thus constructed is preferably provided at each end with uprights a which are adapted at their upper ends to support the two drivers seatsA A. It will also be observed that various braces and beams are provided and arranged to connect and properly strengthen the main portions of the said body-frame. Thus constructed the body-frame is supported upon vehicle-wheels B, mounted upon pivoted and swinging axles O. The bolster-bars Ct are ar- V or segmental in form; (See Figs. 27 and 22.)

The said upper member of each fifth-wheel is secured to thebolster-bars A, and the lower member C is secured to the axle C, prefer ably through the medium of the wooden bol-.

place.

The upper member of each 'with a bracket '0 provided with openings adapted to register with an opening 0 inthe lower member 0 of the fifth-wheeL The pin 0 is adapted to be inserted through said openings and when inserted through the open- H If the machine is to be lowed to turn. If the machine is to be operated in the opposite direction, then the conditions are reversed, the fifth-wheel which was formerly locked being now unlocked and the fifth-wheel which was formerly free to turn being new locked, so as to render its axle rigid with the body-frame. construction the machine is adapted for movement in either direction. Referring more particularly to Figs. 5, 6, 10, and 14, it will be seen that a tongue. is provided at each end of the machine. t Each tongue is desirably adapted to serve either as a pushing orapulling tongue,according to the direction in which the machine is moving.

Each tongue is also preferably constructed to carry the driver of the pushing team, and to such end a drivers seat D is provided and adapted for ready adjustment from one tongue to the other. In Figs. 5 and 6 the machine is supposed to be moving to the left,

With this as shown by the arrow, and consequently two axles and are preferably braced by means of rods or tongue-braces e. The weight of these tongues makes it desirable to provide some means for supporting them, and for such purpose the caster-wheels e are provided and arranged with their stems extending upwardly through the end portions of said tongues. These caster-wheels, it will be read-v ily understood, adjust themselves with reference to the direction in which the machine is moving and support the tongues in substantially horizontal positions. seat D is desirably readily adjustable from one tongue to the other, and to such end the stems e of the caster-Wheels can be made hollow and adapted to receive the seat-post d of the drivers seat. Said driversseat is preferably provided with a foot-rest d, and the bars which connect this foot-rest with the seat are preferably adapted and arranged to engage and straddle the tongue. With this arrangement the seat can be readily shifted fromone tongue to the other when the ma chine is reversed and when applied to either, tongue will be held firmly and securely in Each tongue is preferably provided with a pair of books a to which the draft appliancesare applied, v(See Figs. 5, 6, 10, and 14.) It will also be observed that the endof IIO As stated, the r each tongue is provided with a draft-hook e it being understood that preferably two teams are employed for the pulling-tongue and one to tongue E, while the pushing team is hitched to tongue E. These draft-hooks E are preferably applied to the stems of the casterwheels, and with this arrangement it is preferable that the end of each tongue be provided with a hammer-strap e Preferably each tongue is stiffened or strengthened bya truss e, which prevents the tongue from sagging in the middle. With the tongues thus constructed and arranged the teams can be readily shifted so as to reverse the motion of the machine. It will be readily understood that the draft appliances which are applied to the tongues and which are shown in Figs. 5, 6, 10, and lat can be of any known or approved form or construction.

The body-frame, constructed as previously explained, is adapted to support the excavating and conveying devices, which in this case consist of a pair of plows F and F and a belt conveyor G. The two plows, it will be observed, are arranged to point in opposite directions and are also arranged in such manner as to be capable of delivering the soil to the lower end of said conveyer. These two oppositely-pointing plows are preferably adjustably secured to the plow-beam F the latter being preferably arranged at one side of the machine, as illustrated. Each plow is pivoted at f, and its upper portion is adj ustably secured to the brace f. It will be understood that the adjustable connection between the upper portions of the plows and the brace f can be of any suitable form-as, for example, itcan consist of a locking-bolt and a series of bolt-holes, such as shown in Fig. 1. WVith this arrangement each plow can be tilted forward or back about its pivotal point, so as to either depress or elevate its point or toe, it being observed that in Fig. 1 the upper portions of the two plows are thrown apart, so as to depress the point of each plow. With this arrangement the righthand end of the plow-beam F will be tilted up when the plow F is to be employed, and, vice versa, the left-hand end of said beam will be tilted up or elevated when the plow F is to be employed. In this way either plow is thrown out and away from the furrow when the other plow is to be employed for plowing up the soil and delivering it to the conveyer.

The plow-beam F as previously explained, is preferably arranged for a bodily rise and fall or vertical or up-and-down adjustment and also for a tilting adjustment, whereby either end of the plow can be tilted down for the purpose of throwing the plow at that end into the ground. As a simple and effective arrangement for connecting the plowbeam with the body-frame the two swinging beams or draft-bars H and H are employed and arranged as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 18. Referring more particularly to Fig. 18, it will be seen that these swinging beams or draftbars are arranged to converge from their points of connection with the plow-beam to their points of connection with the frame or body. It will also be observed that these draft-bars are preferably arranged at either side of the conveyor G and that their position is substantially horizontal. These swinging beams or draft-bars are preferably provided with a pivotal or swinging connection with the body-frameas, for example, by adapting their end portions to engage the hooks h, which, it will be understood, are secured to and made rigid with the body-frame.

In order to provide the plow-beam and two plows with a sidewise or lateral adjustment, the two end portions of the draft-bars can be provided with a series of holes 71 adapted to be engaged by the pins 7L2, which are inserted through the hooks h. As a matter of further improvement and as a simple and effective arrangement for connecting the outer ends of the draft-bars with the plow-beam the U- shaped members h are provided and arranged to embrace the plow-beam. Each U-shaped member is pivoted to the plow-beam by means of a'bolt or rod 72. The outer ends of the draft-bars are provided with openings 71". At a point outside of the end of each draft-bar the plow-beam is provided with a bracket f. The upper and lower bars 715 and h have their outer ends secured to the upper and lower portions of the U-shaped members H and have their inner ends pivotally connected with the draft-bars through the medium of the short bars H these bars 71,5 and h converge from their points of connection with the U-shaped beam 7&3 to to their points of connection with the draftbars. The bolts or rods h are arranged to extend through the draft-bars and the brackets f and also through the U-shaped members h and the lower bars h. This arrangement of these bolts or rods 7&8 is shown in Fig. 19. With this arrangement it will be seen that each draft-bar is not only connected with the plow-beam through the medium of the U-shaped member 7L3 and the bars h and h but also through the medium of the bolt or red It and the bracket f Referring to Fig. 19, it will also be seen that a coil-spring h is interposed between the outer side of said bracket and the nut and washer, forming a shoulder on the end of said bolt and rod 7L8. In each case the bolt or rod 7L forms a pivotal point about which the draft-bars are free to swing, and at this juncture it will be seen that when a draftbar swings toward the plows it swings away from the bracket 1''" and in so doing compresses the spring h". In this way the said springs and bolts form yielding connections for permitting the draft-bars to swing about their points of pivotal connec- It will be observed that tion with the plow-beam. Each draft-bar is preferably provided with a chain it, the said chains-being preferably arranged to connect the draft-bars with the king-bolts or some other portions of the running-gear.

For some purposes it is desirable that the plows have an adjustable connection, permitting them to be inclined or tilted to one side. As a simple and effective arrangement whereby the plows can be thus tilted the upper bars 71 can be provided with adjustable connections with the upper portions of the U --shaped members 72 For example, a series of holes can be provided, as shown in Figs. and 21, whereby the pin or bolt h can be removed and then inserted at a different point, so as to lock the plow-beam and the two plows in an inclined position. For example, in Fig. 20 the plowbeam and plows are shown in a vertical position, while in Fig. 21 the beam and plows are shown tilted toward .the eonveyer. It will be understood that when the pin or bolt h is removed the plow-beam and plows tilt about a longitudinal and horizontal axis ahforded by the bolts h With this arrangement the plowbeam can be raised and lowered and tilted, and

the plows can be tilted to one side, and there is also a further automatic adjustment of the plows and plow-beam, which is due to the angular arrangement of the two draft-bars. This automatic adjustment of the plows and plow-beam will be understood by referring to Figs. 33 and 34,which are diagrammatic views illustrating the positions of the plow-beam and plows when the machine is moving in opposite directions. In Fig. 33 the machine is supposed to be moving to the left, and the slack in the draft-chain to the left has permitted the draft-bars to swing back-that is to say, to swing to the right-and in so doing .thedraft-bars have caused the plow-beam to stand at an angle to the dotted line 1, which latter indicates the line of progress. This is due to the fact that the farther the beam H swings to the right the farther the left-hand end of the beam will move from the machine, while the farther the draft-bar H moves to V the right the nearer the right-hand end of the plow-beam will come to the machine. In other words, the forward end of the plowbeam is thrown out, while its rear end is thrown in. This will cause plow F to assume an operative position, while plow F- will be thrown back and away from the furrow, so as not to drag or interfere with the operation of plow F. In Fig. 34 the machine is supposed to be reversed and to be now moving to the right. The slack in the draft-chain to the right has permitted the draft-bars, plowplows to automatically adjust themselves with reference to the direction in which the machine is to operate and to cause the plow to be employed to be brought into operative relation with the conveyor and to cause the other plow to be moved to a position where it will in no way interfere with the operation of the machine. Itwill be understood, however, that in reversing the machine it'is necessary to change the tilt of the plow-beam, so as to throw one plow down and the other up.

Any suitable arrangement or device can be employed for raising and lowering and tilting the plow-beam; but as a matter of further improvement each end of the plow-beam is provided with a sheave or pulley F3, andthe frame or body of the machine is provided with a number of like sheaves or pulleys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. A pair of hand-wheelsIand I are provided andmounted in suitable hearings on the body-frame at points at either side of the longitudinal center of the machine. These hand-wheels are provided with shafts or drums i and i, which are mounted to rotate about an axis extending lengthwise of the machine. shafts J and J are provided and arranged adjacent to the aforesaid hand-wheels. These hand-wheels J and J are arranged at either side of thelongitudinal center of the machine; but in this case their drums or shaftsjj are arranged transversely and at right angles to the axis of the drums or shafts 2' vi. The hand-wheels I J, together with their drums or shafts, constitute the second set. These are the hand wheels and drums or shafts by which the plow is raised and lowered and tilted and which are connected with said plowbeam through the medium of chains K and K. It will be observed that one-end of the chain K is wound upon the hand-wheel shaft or drum 1, is then brought under the sheave or pulley 4, extends forward and over the sheave or pulley 2, thence downward and under the sheave or pulley f on the plow-beam, then extends'upward and over the sheave or pulley 3, then back and under the sheaveor pulley 5, and, finally, upward and to a point where it has its opposite end wound upon the drum or shaftj'. On the other hand, chain K has one end wound upon the drum or shaft '17, extends downward and under the sheave or pulley 8, then forward and over the sheave or pulley 6, is then. brought downward and around the sheave or pulleyf v on the plowbeam, is then brought upward and over the sheave or pulley 7, then extends back and under the sheave or pulley 9, and is then brought upward and has its opposite end wound upon the shaft or drum 'With this arrangement itwillbo seen that asimultaneous rotation of wheels I and J will operate to raise or lower the plow-beam bodily, while rotation of either one of these wheels will operate to raiseor lower either end of the plowbeamthat is to say, to tilt thelat'ter. It will also be observed that a simultaneous rotation of hand-wheels A second pair of hand-wheel I J will likewise operate to raise or lower the plow-beam bodily and that as in the previous case a rotation of either one of these two wheels alone will operate to raise or lower either end of the blow-beam, so as to tilt the latter. In other words, the plow-beam can be raised and lowered or tilted from either end of the machine, it being understood that if the machine is moving to the left the operator will stand at the right and manipulate the wheels I J and that if the machine is moving to the right the operator will stand at the left and control the movements of the plowbeam by manipulating the hand-wheels I J. Thus constructed the machine is readily reversible-that is to say, it can be driven or propelled in either direction-and whether the machine is moving one way or the other the operation of the plow is under the complete control of the operator.

As previously stated, the framework of the conveyeris preferably composed of upper and lower sections connected by sliding bars 9. It will also be observed that the upper section of the conveyer-frame has a swinging connection with the body-frame through the medium of a swinging fulcrum-bar g. With reference to Fig. 3 it will be readily understood that the bars 9 g are duplicated at the other side of the conveyer. The lower end of the conveyer is preferably supported from a hand-wheel shaft L through the medium of chains Z. The middle portion of the conveyer is preferably supported from a like hand-wheel shaft M through the medium of chains on. The means for supporting the outer end of the conveyer is a matter of further improvement and consists, preferably, of the hand-wheel shaft N, which is mounted in suitable bearings on the body-frame, and of the chain 92. The outer end of the conveyer is provided with sheaves or pulleys n. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.) The said chain 12 is trained over and around these sheaves or pulleys 'n, has one end secured to and wound upon the hand-wheel shaft N, and has its opposite end connected with the frame or body of the machine-as, for example, by means of the rod N It will be readily understood that this chain a is duplicated at the other side of the conveyer. The sheaves or pulleys n are preferably provided and mounted upon the frame or body in position to support the upper strands of the chains a. With this arrangement the outer end of the conveyer can be raised and lowered by operating the handwheelshaftN. Thearrangementofthechain over the sheaves tends to increase the power of the hand-wheel shaft and makes it easy to draw up the outer end of the conveyer. As a means of enabling the operator to tighten the conveyer-belt the lower section of the conveyer-frame is preferably connected with a windingshaft 0 through the medium of chains 0. It will be observed that the trend of these chains is such that when the shaft 0 is rotated so as to wind them up the lower section of the conveyer-frame will be moved downward toward tho plows. This downward shift of the lower section of the con veyer-frame will operate to tighten the conveyer belt, which latter is preferably arranged upon upper and lower and intermediate carrying-rolls. Preferably the winding-shaft O is provided with a ratchet-wheel o and also with a hand-lever o Said lever is provided with a dog adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel, and there is preferably also a locking-dog 0 which is mounted upon the body-frame and which is employed for looking the winding-shaft in any desired position. With this arrangement a vibratory move ment of the lever 0 will operate to rotate the shaft 0, and thereby Wind up the chains 0, such winding up of the chains, as previously explained, operating to draw the lower section of the conveyer-frame downward, and

thereby tighten the conveyer-belt.

With a fifth-wheel at each end of the machine it is desirable and preferable that independently-operated means be employed for driving the belt-conveyer. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 a gas-engine or other suitable motor P is shown mounted upon the body-frame and suitably connected with the said conveyor. The power-transmitting connection between said engine and the belt of said conveyer may be of any suitable or desired form, but preferably consists of the sprocket-chainsp andp'. The sprocket-chainp is arranged upon sprockets mounted upon the engine-shaft and the counter-shaftp while sprocket-champ is arranged upon sprockets mounted upon said eounter-shaft and the shaft for the supporting roll at the outer end of the conveyorframe. It will also be observed that a hanger Q is provided and constructed with rolls or sprockets g and q, arranged to engage, respectively, the upper and lower strands of the chain 1). The hanger and its sprockets or rolls thus provided and arranged serves to direct and steady the chainand to keep the latter tight. With the conveyor thus driven independently of the movement of the machine the speed of the conveyer-belt can be readily regulated in accordance with the character of the soil and the work, and as a further advantage the belt can be readily cleaned. Should the belt become clogged with mud or dirt, the machine can be stopped and the belt allowed to run until it has thoroughly rid itself of all adhering soil. As stated, a gasengine is preferably employed for driving the conveyer; but it is obvious that other kinds or forms of motor can. be employed for this purpose, and for this reason I do not limit myself to any particular motive power for driving the conveyer.

A further feature of improvement consists in the means employed for locking the conveyer against upward movement. Figs. 2, 3,

15, 16, and 17 illustrate a simple and efiective device for this purpose. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the vertically-disposed bars R have their lower ends pivoted to the conveyer-frame and their upper portions provided with a series of holes. lhese verticallydisposed bars are arranged one at either side of theconveyer-fratne and are also arranged to project upwardly and through openings in the beams or bars of the body-frame. With this arrangement the upper portions of these vertically-disposed bars are in position to have their openings engaged by locking pins or bolts. For exa1nple,a pair of locking-bolts R can be provided. andarranged to slide in bearings on the frame, and the ends of these locking bolts or pins can be adapted to engage the holes in said bars R. With this arrangement it will be seen that the bars R can be locked against upward movement by causing the bolts to engage any of the holes in said bars and that when thus locked the latter will prevent the conveyer from rising. desirable that these locking-bolts be connected for simultaneous operation or adjustment. This is accomplished by mounting the locking-bolts at the ends of pivoted levers or swinging arms which swing horizontally. The short intermediate lever r is pivoted at its center and has its opposite ends connected with the levers r by means of links or rods r Each lever r-is connected with the upper end of a bell-crank lever r these bell-crank levers being-pivoted in suitable bearings on the body-frame. Each bell-crank lever is provided, as will be observed, with a treadle or foot-piece r and with the arrangement 35Eshown the locking bolts canbe simultaneously withdrawn from the holes in the bars R by depressing either one of the said treadles or:

which the machine is operating, and unlock.

the conveyor preliminary to raising or lowering the latter. Upon releasing the foot-treadle the springs r throw the locking-bolts back into engagementwith the desired holes or openings in the bars R.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that I provide a ditching and grading machine which can be readily reversed and which can be made to work in either direction with equal efficiency. As ordinarily constructed the grading and ditching machines of this type are capable of operating in but one direction-that is to say, they are not capable of operating in both directions at one side of the cut or along the same furrow. This being the case, it was customary previous to my invention to operate the machine in one direction at one side of the cut and to then cross over and come back on the other side of the cut. In some cases it was necessary to make the return trip without excavating.

It is.

In the latter case considerable time was lost,

and it is for the purpose of overcoming this It will also be observed that the hereway without the necessity of turning around A and without the necessity of shifting or readjusting the tongues. This makes it possible to operate in one direction for any desired distance and to then returnand operate in the opposite direction along the same side of the cut or excavation, the plowsbeing quickly and, as previously explained, to a certain extent automatically adjusted for movement in the opposite direction. When it is desired to reverse the machine, all that is necessary is to simply shift or reverse the teams, adjust the plow, and to then shift. the drivers seat D from one tongue to the other. This, as previously explained, reverses the conditions in respect to the two tongues, the tongue which was formerly a pulling-tongue now becoming a pushing-tongue and that which was formerly a pushing-tongue now becoming a pulling-tongue. v

It is obvious that the various details and features of construction can be changed or modified, if desired, without departing from the spirit of. my invention. For this reason I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described.

What I claim as my invention is 1. .A grading and ditching machine comprising a suitable frame or body provided at each end with a fifth-wheel and mounted upon.

vehicle-wheels, a plow-beam arranged at one side of said frame or body and provided with plows pointing in opposite directions, and a upon suitable vehicle-wheels, and excavating and conveying devices supported from said frame or body at a point between said fifthwheels and vehicle-wheel's, substantially as described.

8. A reversible excavating-machine comprising a suitable frame or body mounted -upon vehicle-wheels and provided at each end with a fifth-wheel device, locking devices whereby either one of said fifth-wheel devices can be locked against turning, and excavating devices suspended from said body-frame at a point between said fifth-wheel device,

substantially as described. 7

4. A reversible ditching and grading maplow-beam arranged at one side of said bodyframe and provided with plows pointing in. 

